Page 3 of Mistletoe Kisses

2

Mylo

“I told you it wouldn’t work out.” Delilah clicks her tongue as she looks at my poor attempt at building one of these houses. “Now the icing is all melted and practically useless. You have to let the gingerbread cool before trying to assemble.”

I grunt my response, earning myself an eye roll. Deeming me useless, I’m left to my own devices as she rolls out more pieces.

If I thought my headspace was dangerous before, nothing comes in comparison to the thoughts creeping inside now that Cassidy has made her surprise appearance.

Well, not a surprise. Both Delilah and Henry warned me about their daughter’s return. However, I was expecting to see an old face. The sort that would get all teary-eyed the moment something didn’t work out. The snot-nosed kid I’d tease because of how little it took to get a reaction.

I can’t say I recognized the woman who strolled in here, nose and cheeks red from the chilly weather. Can’t say I recognizedthe sensation that rolled through me when she was in my arms, either.

My failed attempt at constructing a building remains flat on the table as I continue staring toward that opening. A part of me wishes Cassidy would come strolling back already just so I can make sure my eyes are working correctly. Hell, I’m old as hell in comparison. Maybe my eyes are going out.

These last few months, my thoughts have been dangerous. Enough to make Henry go out of his way to drag me to his home, demanding I stay with them through the holidays. Poor guy is probably thinking I’m a man standing on the edge of a building, debating on taking a step forward or backward. Maybe he’s right.

But now, I don’t have room to think about my situation. Not when I have even more lethal thoughts pouring in.

Thoughts that would make Henry bloody my nose if he discovered what was stirring up in my chest. Fuck me, even I can see it’s wrong.

I shake my head as if the motion can help physically fling the thoughts out of my mind. Remembering that Cassidy is nothing more than Bug to me, I straighten up in my seat and pick up the different pieces. Noticing the way the corners are softening because of the puddle of melted icing, my brows furrow as I attempt to restart this process.

Once my workspace is cleaned up and I’ve got a new pile of fluffy icing ready to be used as glue, my brows furrow as I focus on making the two pieces stick.

As of late, everything around me has felt like it’s been crumbling. Right now, I’m determined to make two things come together without falling apart. I have to, for my sanity. Even if it’s based on something as stupid as one of these gingerbread houses.

Delilah can swing tips my way as much as she wants, but I want to do this on my own. Paint it as a way to prove to myself that I’m not completely hopeless.

Somehow, I get all four walls together without collapsing the entirety of the building. Just when I pick up the little spatula to start applying some foundation, I smell the same hints of vanilla bean that filled my system when I hugged Cassidy the first time. She’s returned, chewing on her lip as she sits across from me.

Most of her attention is on her phone. Her thumb swipes as she busies herself with whatever has caught her attention. Can she feel my eyes on her? Is that why she hesitantly looks in my direction?

She’s got a familiar look in those honey-colored eyes, one that hints at being kicked around by life. Can’t say I’ve heard much about her, not really. Sure, I might’ve been told about a promotion, her finding a new apartment, or whatever exciting things her parents can come up with, but nothing that’s stuck out like a sore thumb. No mentions of a boyfriend or husband, that’s for sure.

Maybe I wasn’t listening closely enough. Maybe I should’ve been.

“I’m sure you’ve been busy,” I start up with the need to fill the silence with something other than the third repeat of Mariah Carey’s most popular Christmas hit. “Must miss Florida by now.”

I know that much. Cassidy left all this shitty weather behind to live in a state that’s known to be warm all year around. Hell, the tan on her body is enough proof of her stay in the sunny state.

She shrugs a shoulder, her nose scrunching. “Not really.”

I’ve hit a hard stop. She won’t even look my way. Maybe an occasional glance to check up on my progress. Makes me think I’ve done something wrong. In the twenty minutes she’s beenhere, I can’t possibly see what I could’ve done to upset her. Unless she’s taking offense to my skills in building, I think I’d much rather her laugh at me instead.

Doing what I do best, I don’t give up. I keep opening my mouth, probably when I shouldn’t. Delilah should look into changing the radio station to give my sanity a little break.

I look at her fingers as she continues swiping. After all these years away, I’m a bit surprised to see her finger without a ring. How in the world did she manage so long without snagging someone?

“I bet Henry is hoping you’d have dragged someone here with you. A boyfriend or husband.” Unable to help myself, my curiosities win over. I refuse to believe she’s single. Men must be fighting over for her attention. Hell, I keep speaking just so she doesn’t return her eyes to the device in her hands.

I’m caught off guard by how instantly her cheeks change color. A pink flush crawls across her face and she fumbles with the device. Tinkering with her phone, she chews on her lip. “I guess I’m going to disappoint him then.”

This knot in my chest grows bigger, replaced by the oddest satisfaction. She’s single and available. The fact shouldn’t give me ideas. No, not any at all.

I’m here to get over my failed marriage. There’s no way in hell I’m going to get over my ex-wife by entertaining the thought of getting under another woman. Not any of them, especially not the daughter of a man I grew up with.

My resolution crumbles when she looks my way once more. Those brown eyes look so vulnerable, so exposed. Then she opens those plump lips and makes it much easier to think.